06/11/2026
Hey Nashville community! Who's planning on attending the SmashFest Music Summit this weekend? Swipe or scroll to learn more about the founders and panelists of this year's event! 💜
MEET THE FOUNDERS:
MAKEBA WOODS is a Grammy-winning songwriter, vocal producer, and entrepreneur best known for penning hits including Beyoncé's Deja Vu and Upgrade U, Rihanna's Rude Boy, and Jennifer Lopez's All I Have. With two decades of success shaping the sound of global superstars, she has cemented herself as one of the most influential voices in contemporary music.
MICKEY SHILOH is a Multi-Platinum songwriter, artist, and entrepreneur named to Forbes 30 Under 30. Credits include Janet Jackson, Pitbull, Britney Spears, and more. As founder of HRDRV, a global artist development company, Mickey empowers thousands of creators to build sustainable careers by merging music, business, and community.
MEET THE PANELISTS:
ADRIANA ARCE is a former Berklee scholarship artist turned acclaimed manager, she guided Miley Cyrus for eight years and Lil Nas X for three. Named to Forbes 30 Under 30 Music (2019), her work spans collaborations with Zayn, The Kid Laroi, Labrinth, and Nicole Scherzinger, and building global tours that bridge artistry and business.
AMELIA GROSS is the Manager of Licensing & Creative Sync at Ultra Records (Sony Music Entertainment), with over six years of experience working across film, television, advertising, and digital media. Her role encompasses the entire sync process, from creative pitching and client outreach through licensing and deal ex*****on. Amelia is especially passionate about the role sync can play in an artist's career, from helping break emerging talent to supporting established artists. She holds a B.S. in Music Industry from USC's Thornton School of Music.
BUTTA B-ROCKA is an internationally acclaimed executive film producer, director, screenwriter, actress, playwright, and recording artist/sync songwriter. A three-time bestselling author and Governor on the Board of the Recording Academy Atlanta Chapter. Butta B is the CEO and founder of the BBR Indie Films Festival and the nonprofit Artists Rock the MIC Foundation.
CARMEN WALKER is a Memphis, TN native and A&R Director at RCA Inspiration / Provident Entertainment, supporting Sony Music's leading Gospel/Christian artists — providing creative support to GRAMMY-winning DOE and GRAMMY-nominated ANTHNY, and administrative support to legends like Kirk Franklin and Donald Lawrence.
DEVON O'CONNOR is known for her artist-first approach. Devon signed Latin GRAMMY-nominated rock band The Warning (a sister trio from Monterrey, Mexico) and champions artists with distinct voices and long-term vision. A Wharton Dean's List graduate, she holds a B.S. in Economics with a concentration in Entertainment and Intellectual Property Management and is passionate about creating pathways for women in music.
JAMIE DEE HART is an artist advocate whose mission is to streamline the music industry's metadata mess. As Founder of Hart & Songs — a rights management firm — she helps artist teams behind the scenes bolster their backend processes and ensure proper registration. She has audited 5,000+ songs and recovered $2+ million in unclaimed royalties.
LIZ SHARPE is a powerhouse multi-genre songwriter, producer, vocalist, and pianist with major TV/brand sync placements (The Voice, All American, Selling Sunset, Fox NFL, Apple TV+, Netflix, Walmart, and more). She's the Music Supervisor/Music Director at Songs for Film & TV, championing independent artists and placing music across film, TV, tech, and campaigns.
TAMI LATRELL is a Multi-platinum songwriter and Recording Academy National Trustee who penned songs for Whitney Houston and Keyshia Cole. Signed to EMI Music Publishing in 2002 and remains an established writer under Sony Music Publishing. Retired in 2018 to found The Mezzo Agency, a full-service music administration company providing catalog management, royalty collection, and licensing. In 2025, Mezzo recovered $3M+ in unclaimed royalties for creators including K Camp, El Jefe, and more. Tami helped push the Music Modernization Act alongside The Recording Academy and late Congressman John Lewis.
